Rotary machine

ABSTRACT

A rotary machine for use as a pump or motor wherein a hollow rotor is rotatable within a casing and combines with the latter to define therebetween an annular chamber. A vane or arm extends from the rotor for rotation therewith about the annular extent of the chamber and a fluid inlet passageway communicates between the hollow of the rotor and the chamber on one side of the vane or arm for passing fluid into the chamber on said one side of the vane. An outlet is provided in the casing for the egress of fluid from the chamber on the other side of the rotor vane.

United States Patent Primary Examiner-Carlton R. Croyle AssistantExaminerWilbur J. Goodlin Attorney-Robert K. Youtie ABSTRACT: A rotarymachine for use as a pump or motor wherein a hollow rotor is rotatablewithin a casing and combines with the latter to define therebetween anannular chamber. A vane or arm extends from the rotor for rotationtherewith about the annular extent of the chamber and a fluid inletpassageway communicates between the hollow of the rotor and the chamberon one side of the vane or arm for passing fluid into the chamber onsaid one side of the vane. An outlet is provided in the casing for theegress of fluid from the chamber on the other side of the rotor vane.

PATENTED AUB24 um SHEET 1 UF 2 ROTARY MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION As is well known to those versed in the art, purely rotarymachines, such as motors and pumps, have inherent advantages overreciprocating machines in reduced inertia forces, quicker response tochange, smoother operation at low speeds, easier dynamic balancing, andothers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an important object of the presentinvention to provide a rotary machine which may serve as a fluid motoror pump, achieving the above-mentioned advantages of rotary equipment,and providing an extreme simplicity of construction, reliability in use,high efficiency in operation, and durability for a long useful life.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon readingthe following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings,which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which thescope will be indicated by the appointed claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is an end elevational viewshowing a rotary machine constructed in accordance with the teachings ofthe present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularlyto the drawings, and specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, a rotarymachine of the present invention is there generally designated and mayinclude an outer casing or housing 11. The casing 11 includes agenerally cylindrical, open-ended sidewall 12, having a pair oflaterally spaced depending wall portions 13, best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4.A pair of end walls or closures l4 and 15 are respectively secured, asby fasteners 16 and 17, in closing relation with opposite ends of thecasing sidewall 12.

As best seen in FIG. 1, the casing end wall 14 is of a verticallyelongate configuration, as defined by an upper relatively large circularconfiguration intersecting with a lower relatively small circularconfiguration. The upper relatively large circular configuration of endwall 14 closes the upper generally cylindrical formation of casingsidewall 12, while the lower portion of end wall 14, as at 20, extendsbetween and below the depending wall portions 13. The end wall 15 is ofsimilar overall configuration to the end wall 14, having an upperportion closing one end of casing sidewall 12, the right-hand end asseen in FIG. 2, and having a lower portion 21 extending between andbelow the wall portions 13.

lnteriorly of the casing sidewall 12, the configuration thereof definesa generally cylindrical interior, as at 22, while the inner contours ofwall portions 13 define a generally semicylindrical interior, as at 23.Extending between the lower ends of wall portions 13 is a generallysemicylindrical, upwardly concave bottom wall 25, which combines withthe semicylindrical lower housing hollow 23 to define a lowercylindrical interior hollow.'The lower wall 25 extends longitudinally tothe lower regions and 21 of end walls 14 and 15, so that the lattereffectively close the lower interior cylindrical hollow 23.

Generally coaxially within the cylindrical interior 22 of casing 11,there is mounted a rotor, generally designated 30. The rotor 30 mayinclude a coaxially extending hollow shaft 31 having one end journaled,as by suitable bearing means 32, in the end wall 15, and extendingoutward therebeyond. The other end of shaft 31 extends outwardlythrough, and is rotatably journaled, as by bearings 33, in the end wall14. If desired, suitable seals or glands may be interposed between thehousing ends 14 and 15, and received ends of shaft 31, such as seals 34and 35 extending about the shaft 31 and seated in casing ends 14 and 15,respectively.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the rotor shaft 31 is interiorly hollow, as at36, the interior hollow being closed at one end adjacent to casing endwall 14, and open at its other end passing through casing end wall 15.

The hollow rotor shaft 31 may be provided with an annular rib or collar40 adjacent to the end wall 15, and an assembly of one or more rotorformations, as at 41, 42, 43 and 44, may be circumposed about andnonrotatably secured to the shaft 31 as by key means 45, see FIGS. 3 and4, or other suitable securing means. Additionally, the rotor formations41-44 may be retained on the hollow shaft 31 by an end retainer member45 detachably secured, as by fasteners 46, to the shaft in position tohold the rotor formations against longitudinal movement on the shaft.

The several rotor formations 41-44 may be formed integrally, orfabricated of a plurality of parts, as most convenient for manufactureand assembly. The several rotor formations are formed of a plurality ofgenerally annular discs 45 46, 47, 48 and 49 arranged in coaxialalignment with each other nonrotatably circumposed about the hollowportion of shaft 31, and axially spaced therealong, as by respectiveannuli or bands 50, 51, 52 and 53. The rotor annuli or bands 50-53 mayserve to space apart adjacent pairs of annular rotor discs 45-49, eachadjacent pair of annular discs or plates and its intermediate spacerband combining with the casing wall 12 to define a generally annularchamber, as at 54, 55, 56 and 57, respectively. Projecting generallyradially outwardly from each rotor band 50-53, and extending entirelyacross its associated annular chamber 54-57, is a radial protrusion, armor vane, as at 58, 59, 60 (not shown) and 61. The peripheral edges ofthe several annular plates or discs 45-49 may be formed with labyrinthgrooves, as at 65-69, or other means to improve sealing, as desired.

It will now be understood that the entire rotor 30, which includes thehollow shaft 31 and its circumposed structure, rotates as a unit aboutthe axis of the shaft. Further, as will be understood more fullyhereinafter, the rotor vanes or arms 59-61 are each angularly offset 90from the adjacent arm or vane. As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the adjacentrotor formations 41 and 42 have their vanes or arms 59 and 58 angularlyoffset 90 from each other. Similarly, the remaining rotor vanes or armsare offset 90 from the adjacent vanes or arms. Also, the shaft 31 andeach rotor annuli or band 50, 51, 52 and 53 are provided with generallyradially extending inlet passageways, each opening adjacent to and onone side of the associated vane, in the manner shown in FIG. 3. Inparticular, the inlet opening or passageway shown in FIG. 3 communicatesbetween the interior of rotor shaft 31 and the chamber 54 on thecounterclockwise side of vane 58. The rotor formation 42 is formed witha similar fluid inlet passageway 71, while the rotor formation 43includes a similar fluid inlet passageway which is obscured in thedrawings, and the rotor formation 44 includes a similar inlet fluidpassageway at 73.

A fluid conduit or pipe extends into the interior hollow 36 of shaft 31,inwardly through the open end thereof, and may be suitably fixed to thecasing 11, as by fasteners 76 secured to the casing end wall 15.Suitable sealing means, as at 77 may be interposed between the fixedconduit 75 and the interior of rotary shaft 31, the sealing means beingremovably retained in position, as by a retainer ring 78. The outer endof conduit 75 may be flanged, as at 79, or otherwise formed forconvenient connection to a source of fluid supply. Interiorly of therotor 30, the fluid conduit 75 is provided with groups or sets of ports,as at 81, 82, 83 and 84, each set of ports being in radial alignmentwith a respective rotor formation 41, 42, 43 and 44. Hence, uponrotation of the rotor 40, the inlet passageways 70-73 of the severalrotor formations rotate in respective registry with the sets of ports81-84 to provide fluid communication between the interior 36 of rotor 30and the respective rotor chambers 54, 55, 56 and 57. In this manner,fluid passes from the interior hollow 36 of rotor 30 to the severalannular chambers 54-57. Further, by the angularly spaced relation of theseveral vanes 58-61, and the similarly angularly spaced location of theseveral fluid inlet passageways 70-73, it will be apparent that fluid isfed sequentially to the rotor formations or chambers 54-57 for a smoothwell-balanced operation.

Located in the lower region of casing 11, as between the lower end wallregions and 21, may be a rotary head construction, generally designated90. The rotary head 90 includes a shaft 91 extending in generalparallelism with the rotor shaft 31, and joumaled at its opposite endsby suitable bearing means, as at 92 and 93 in respective end walls 14and 15. Nonrotatably carried by the shaft 91 between the lower regions20 and 21 of end walls 14 and 15 are a plurality of disclike members orhead members respectively designated 92, 93, 94 and 95. That is, thehead members or discs 92-95 are each circumposed about the shaft 91,being nonrotatable relative thereto, as by suitable key means 96, seeFIG. 3, and each located to extend radially into a lower region of arespective annular chamber 54-57. That is, the head member 92 extendsupwardly into the lower region of annular rotor chamber 44, the headmember 93 extending upwardly into the lower region of annular rotorchamber 55, the head member 94 extending upwardly into the lower regionof annular rotor chamber 56, and the head member 95 extending upwardlyinto the lower region of annular rotor chamber 57. Each head member92-95 is formed with a peripheral notch, as at 98 in head member 92 (seeFIG. 3), 99 in head member 93 (see FIG. 2), 100 in head member 94obscured in the drawings, and 101 in head member 95. The notches orrecesses 98-101 are successively offset angularly with respect to eachother, being in the instant embodiment angularly spaced 90 apart. Theformation of each recess or notch 98-101 is such as to smoothly receiveand engage with the associated rotor vane or arm 58-61, respectively.Toward this end, the head shaft 91 is rotated in timed relation withrespect to the rotor shaft 31, as by suitable timing means, One suchtiming means may be that of meshing gears 103 and 104 respectivelycarried by shafts 31 and 91 to maintain a proper timed relationtherebetween.

While operation is believed obvious from the foregoing description, abrief resume follows. In use of the instant rotary machine as a motor,fluid may be supplied under pressure, say compressible fluid such assteam or air, or incompressible fluid such as liquid. The fluid entersthrough the stationary conduit 75 from which it passes successivelythrough ports 81, 82, 83 and 84 into respective annular chambers 54, 55,56 and 57. As best seen in FIG. 3, the ports 81 are uncovered or openedby the inlet passageway 70 after the vane 58 has passed in its clockwisemovement beyond the head 92. Fluid may therefore enter into the chamber54 between the vane 58 and head 92, causing the vane to continue itsclockwise rotation. As best seen in FIG. 3, the casing 11 is providedwith an outlet passageway 102 communicating between the interior ofannular rotor chamber 54 and the exterior of the casing at a locationadjacent to head member 92. Similarly, each of the remaining rotorchambers 55, 56 and 57 are provided with an outlet passageway at thesame general location, or in substantial alignment with the outletpassageway 102 of rotor unit 41. It will be obvious that fluid containedin the annular rotor chamber 54 between the head member 92 and theleading side of the vane 58 is expelled by movement of the latterthrough the outlet passageway 102. Operation is essentially identicalfor each of the rotor units 42, 43 and 44, operation being in asequential relationshi for minimizing vibration and internal stresses.By the time relationship between rotation of rotor 30 and head 90, eachrotor vane 58-61 engages in its respective head member notch or recess98-101 for passage through the location of the respected head. This vanemovement through the head position is shown in FIG. 4.

If desired, suitable leakage drain and recovery passageways may beprovided, say between the exterior of rotor and interior of casing 1 1,and communicating in turn with the interior of the lower casing regionwithin lower casing wall 25. Drain or recovery means may be providedtherefrom, if desired.

In the above-described engine or motor operation, it will be apparentthat the shaft 31, as extending leftward in FIG. 2, may provide a poweroutput or drive shaft.

Conversely, power may be applied to the shaft 31, or to the head shaft91, if desired, either effecting timed rotation of the rotor 30 and head90. In pump operation the rotor vanes may be rotated in the samedirection, clockwise as seen in FIG. 3, each rotary unit simultaneouslyoperating a suction stroke" and pressure stroke." That is, rotation ofeach rotor unit 41-44 simultaneously draws fluid from the rotor interior36 through its respective inlet passageway -73 to the associated rotorchamber 54-57 on the trailing side of the rotor vane. Simultaneously,previously drawn fluid is discharged under pressure through the fluidoutlet 102 and corresponding outlets of respective rotor units.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides arotary machine capable of both motor and pump operation, which fullyaccomplishes its intended objects and is otherwise well adapted to meetpractical conditions of manufacture and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by wayofillustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, itis understood that certain changes and modifications may be made withinthe spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A rotary machine comprising a generally cylindrical casing, acentrally hollow shaft defining a rotor in coaxially spaced relationwithin said casing, a plurality of coaxial annular walls spacedlongitudinally along said shaft and extending from said shaft towardsaid casing to define therebetween a plurality of generally annularchambers surrounding said rotor, a plurality of vanes arranged inlongitudinal spaced relation along said rotor and each extendingradially from said rotor between the adjacent annular walls and entirelyacross said chamber for rotation with said rotor about the annularextent of said chamber in equally angularly spaced relation with respectto each other, said rotor having a plurality of inlet passageways eachcommunicating generally radially between said hollow and said chamberadjacent to and on one side of a respective vane, a plurality of rotarygenerally disc-shaped heads each extending radially inwardly across oneregion of a respective one of said chambers for rotation through saidone region and having an edge notch configured to receive the associatedone of said vanes when the latter passes through said one region, timingmeans operatively connecting said rotor and heads for entry of saidvanes in said recesses, and a pipe extending coaxially into the hollowof said rotor and having radial ports communicating with said inletsduring limited portions of rotor rotation for passing fluid to saidchambers between each of said heads and the associated said one side ofsaid vane, said casing having outlet passageways adjacent to saiddisc-shaped heads communicating with said chambers for passing fluidfrom said chambers between said heads and the other sides of said vanes.

2. A rotary machine according to claim 1, said timing means comprisinggearing interposed in driving relation between said rotor and head.

1. A rotary machine comprising a generally cylindrical casing, acentrally hollow shaft defining a rotor in coaxially spaced relationwithin said casing, a plurality of coaxial annular walls spacedlongitudinally along said shaft and extending from said shaft towardsaid casing to define therebetween a plurality of generally annularchambers surrounding said rotor, a plurality of vanes arranged inlongitudinal spaced relation along said rotor and each extendingradially from said rotor between the adjacent annular walls and entirelyacross said chamber for rotAtion with said rotor about the annularextent of said chamber in equally angularly spaced relation with respectto each other, said rotor having a plurality of inlet passageways eachcommunicating generally radially between said hollow and said chamberadjacent to and on one side of a respective vane, a plurality of rotarygenerally disc-shaped heads each extending radially inwardly across oneregion of a respective one of said chambers for rotation through saidone region and having an edge notch configured to receive the associatedone of said vanes when the latter passes through said one region, timingmeans operatively connecting said rotor and heads for entry of saidvanes in said recesses, and a pipe extending coaxially into the hollowof said rotor and having radial ports communicating with said inletsduring limited portions of rotor rotation for passing fluid to saidchambers between each of said heads and the associated said one side ofsaid vane, said casing having outlet passageways adjacent to saiddisc-shaped heads communicating with said chambers for passing fluidfrom said chambers between said heads and the other sides of said vanes.2. A rotary machine according to claim 1, said timing means comprisinggearing interposed in driving relation between said rotor and head.